Anyone going to the NEC this week?

[Marie]

I wish I was going, but as I can't, I'd love to hear about it from anyone else who is going, especially about new products etc taht might take a while before getting to the shops or QVC/C&C. Have a good time if you're going and try not to spend too much on goodies!

[Wellington]

I toyed with the idea for a little while, but the train fair started to put me off...:(

[Phree]

Me, Me, Me!!!

I'ma goin'

Well how can NOT go when it turns out that Hubby and his car mad freind are planning at trip to the NEC and guess what..... yep it's the very same weekend as the HobbyCraft show!!!

I was gutted last year when he came home from the same motor show and said to me some think like "oh there seemed to be some kind of craft event going on in another part of the NEC, I saw folks with bags that seemed be the kind of stuff you buy"

I freaked out, cuz i had not realised his trip to Brum was the same weekend as the show until AFTER so I swore if the 2 events co-incided this year I was going with him.... event tho I don't reallly have too much money to spend this year damn right I am going, cuz next year who knows, his car thing may be on a different weekend from the Hobbycraft event.

Anyhoooooo I have to be up and ready to leave at 5am (eek!) on Saturday.

[Julie]

Have a wonderful time Phree !

[Marie]

lucky lucky you! Have a great time and make sure that you spend as much on craft stuff as your other half does on car stuff!

[Jeanette]

Sounds great Phree. One year I will save some pennies up and make the long journey :D

[maisie*daisy]

I'll be there.I'll be easy to spot cos I've got a soppy grin and will be boring people with baby photos lol. ;D

[Marie]

Just don't spend too much money on baby stuff!! But have a good time!

[blarf]

I went yesterday - it was absolutely manic, worse than in previous years. I think people have cottoned on and started going on the first day. I was so fed up of having my ankle bruised by people with blooming trolley bags. I took one myself but only used it for walking back to the car.
The show just wasn't as much fun as usual, there was a distinct lack of stamps on sale and such a lack of manners I'm not sure I'll bother next year. I only spent about a third of my budget which means I can order all the things I didn't find online today :)

[Marie]

I suppose that's the problem with something becoming popular, it gets too crowded. Glad I'm not going, I get dreadfully panicky in crowds of people. Hope you got something nice there though.

[Winspiration]

One thing I have found in the past with this (and other shows) at the NEC, is that going in the afternoon can be much more pleasant than in the morning, as the main crowds have been and gone by that stage. I found it much easier to get around, and to get to the stands later in the day.

A few years ago when I worked in Birmingham (and also entered competitions as a hobby, so used to get lots of free exhibition tickets), I could leave work at 4, and still manage about an hour and a half at an exhibition before it closed, often the place would be almost deserted by that stage ;)

Hope those of you who are going have a great time :D

[Phree]

Oh dear, sounds like Saturday may not be the best day to go then - oh well beggars can't be choosers and hubby won't be leaving till late afternoon. To be honest I am mostly going cuz I can travel free with hubby - I don't really have a lot of pennies to spend because main focus of my craft budget for this month was already committed to a trip to Graphicus next week for another workshop

Mostly I plan to enjoy myself watching demos from people like Barbara Gray of Clarity Stamp and I will no doubt buy a few inexpensive bits and bobs.

[maisie*daisy]

Our coach didnt get us there until 12 last year got stuck in traffic :( were going earlier this year.
last thing on Sunday is the best time to go if you want bargains as most of the stall holders reduce there stuff so they dont have to take it home . Well they used to. The 1st year I went with Hazel and we helped on Nigels stall.
We were ther for 3 days it was brilliant. QVC had make and takes all day and they were free. that was 4 years ago and they havent had a stall since :(. I've also noticed the offers seem to be fewer and fewer every year. Still I love the atmosphere and the coach in the way home is great fun :) who bought what and how will we get this in the house unnoticed lol ;)

[Marie]

okidoki, I'm suitably envious of anyone who's going. But I'm promising myself a trip to Barnard Castle soon to the Graphicus shop to make up for it. Is there a similar big show as the NEC anywhere in the north of England every year?

[blarf]

Problem is, it takes all day to get round - it's huge! I tend to go an have a mooch round the crafts for xmas part to have a quiet moment (and eat yummy food samples!). It's the only way to make it through a full day.

My favourite purchases were the scor-it board (full size) and rock-a-blocks - they are totally amazing! I'm taking as many of my stamps off their blocks as I can when I get chance.

[blarf]

Oh BTW _ I also ordered the magnetic we r memory keepers cutting mat and tools last week on QVC and I can't sing their praises highly enough (I had planned to get it at the NEC but it was so cheap on QVC). The magnetic ruler is just a stroke of genius.

[Marie]

Yes I got the magnetic cutting board as well from QVC, it seemed rude not to when the cute American guest presenter came all the way over here for the show! It is a weighty piece of kit, I haven't had a chance to play with it yet but it is really good being able to cut things without them moving round on the board. Also it is a good size, about 15" by 13" so easily big enough for larger scrapbooking projects. I'll keep this board for precision cutting as my other is already messed up with sticky stuff!
So many toy, so little time! he he!

[maisie*daisy]

okidoki, I'm suitably envious of anyone who's going. But I'm promising myself a trip to Barnard Castle soon to the Graphicus shop to make up for it. Is there a similar big show as the NEC anywhere in the north of England every year?

depends how far North you mean ,there is the Glasgow one at the ssec

[maisie*daisy]

just spotted this one too

Create and Craft TV and the Create and Craft Club, are proud to announce that we are supporters of The Stitch & Creative Crafts Shows. This support will take many forms including show promotion on Create and Craft TV, Club member and show visitor incentives. The combination of the Create and Craft Club's large national membership and the 65,000 dedicated crafting visitors to their shows will make this a perfect partnership.



For all the very best in Card-making, Scrap-booking, Paper-crafts, Cross Stitch, Needlecraft, Sewing, Knitting, Stamping, Beading, Quilting, plus all your supplies and accessories. As well as many leading and specialist craft suppliers, there are always a variety of demonstrations, workshops and special feature areas for the visitor to enjoy. There really is something for everybody at these great shows later this year.





The Creative Crafts & Gifts for Christmas Show, Highland Hall, Ingliston, Edinburgh, 28th – 30th November


Sandown Park, Esher, Surry, 22nd – 25th January 2009


Manchester Central, 6th – 8th February 2009

[Marie]

I'm in Leeds, originally from Newcastle and am up there regularly. I guess anywhere from Leeds/Manchester up to the borders really. There are lots of nice shops to go and look at, but it would be great to see lots of suppliers all at once.

[Marie]

Oh good, I should be able to get to the show in Manchester in February Presumably C&C will be selling tickets for teh shows at some point soon.

[Phree]

Not so sure of my Geography but what about Harrogate Marie - is that within reasonable striking distance from Leeds?

[Phree]

Well, having caught up with most of the rest of the forum - may I saw what a day I have had - my feet are sore, and I am tired as we left home at 4:30am this morning and got home around 11pm! But I had a lovely time, well mostly - can't say I cared for the crowds early in the day - it was almost impossible to get close to some of the stands to actually see what they were selling, but later on when it thinned out a bit it was much better. I got some lovely stamps from Clarity, a couple of extremely cute Penny Black stamps and some devine Christmas Ribbon .......

AND my star buy......

well hubby's actually..... was a wooden box containing 72 Derwent Inktense Pencils..... I have been stroking them since I got home....but I am not allowed to have them yet - I phoned hubby (who was in another part of the NEC at the Classic Car Show) and he agreed that the pencils would be my Christmas present - he is strict about stuff like that, so I am going to have to give them one last stroke then hand them over so hubby can squirrel them away till Christmas!

Sharon, incase you read this - I can't beleive my luck - those stamps turned up in the show organisers office!!! I was so releived as one of them was for my freind Jess.

And if you are the person who handed in a white plastic bag containing 3 stamps and a couple of Quicky Glue pens to the show organiser - may I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your honesty!

One of the highspots of my day was meeting Ms Sharon Duncan and what can I say, it was a PURE PLEASURE to meet this lovely lady face to face! When I am in England I use my telephone voice - errr it makes it easier on the sassanachs cuz they tend to understand what I am saying, but as I chatted with Sharon I could hear my accent reverting back to being more and more Scottish ;)

[Dips]

O, it sounds like you had a lovely time and, from the sounds of it Phree, it just goes to prove that crafters are lovely people!

[LorraineJ]

Not so sure of my Geography but what about Harrogate Marie - is that within reasonable striking distance from Leeds?

Twelve miles if that.

[maisie*daisy]

I'm still recovering from yesterday,glad you had a great time Phree.
I aimed at Sharons stall as I had promised myself the Teddy and Christmas CDS I then spotted the scottish one with the tartan scottie dogs so ended up with 3 Cds and a rubber stamp scottie lol. Am I a scottie lover do you think lol. I second that Sharon is a wonderful lady and I thoroghly enjoyed meeting her :)

Of course I got lots of pink girly ribbons and buttons and sorry to everyone I met who I told "its all because I have a Granddaughter".Also big thanks to all those who replied I dont look old enough lol.Hope they are still saying that when shes 21 ;)

I have to say there was a lot less bargains and goody bags this year :( . and it was soooooo busy.Beading seems to be the IN thing as the beading stalls were swamped . My beading friend got tons as they were all very cheap.

we did a workshop on the Create and Craft stand with Amanda Bateman ,it was good to sit down for 1/2 an hour lol ;) Amanda was lovely and we had a good laugh.

Hope eveyone else who went had a good time

[Phree]

OOOO sounds like you had a ball then MD - I saw that Scottish CD at Sharon's stall too and have to admit to being rather smitten with it - some gorgous soft colourways in the backing paper that makes them HUGELY versatile for using with far more than just the topper elements on the CD and as you say thos lil' doggies......cute or what! The CD is on my wish list now! but I fear it will be the New Year before I can splurge out again because I have a visit to Graphicus planned next week and then I need pay for that Cosmo Cricket kit next time pay day comes around so I wont be spending anymore on crafty bits after that before Christmas.

I wish I had realised you were going on the Saturday too, it would have been fun to trade mobile phone numbers and then we could have called each other in the NEC and met somewhere for a wee coffee!

[Marie]

Oh I'm glad you had a great time, Phree and Maisie Daisy! And yes I can easily get to Harrogate from Leeds, what is on at Harrogate and when?? Even my first few trips to crafting shops have left me really happy, I think I'd be delirious if I got to go to a whole days worth of shops as close as Harrogate!

[Phree]

Um without checking dates I think you may have missed Harrogate show for this year Marie - perhaps someone who goes to that one can remind us what time of year it usually happens.

[Marie]

Well at least if I can get the dates for next year, then I've got lots to get in the diary! Either way I'm fortunate to be relatively close to Harrogate, Manchester and Barnard Castle to visit Graphicus.

[Phree]

After doing some digging, I beleive the show in Harrogate falls towards the end of September.

[Wellington]

I did the Manc one at the end of August - my first ever craft show...on my own :( And sadly the day after a huge row with hubby about money, so sadly I didn't enjoy it as much as I might have :(

I didn't think there were many bargains though - but it was useful for seeing some products in real life, rather than just on the internet

I may try to go to the Feb one - maybe. When hubby's calmed down from our latest disagreement about my stash & money spent on it :(

Glad peeps enjoyed themselves at the NEC - did Nigel look tanned ;)

[Phree]

Yes Welly, Nigel did look a bit tanned, but not perhaps as much as you might expect - I guess he did the sensible thing and avoided getting too much sun.

[Marie]

thanks for that info, at least I've got lots to look forward to next year. Maybe I'll even make the trek to the NEC as well, all of the lovely things people have collected might be worth the journey!

[maisie*daisy]

OOOO sounds like you had a ball then MD - I saw that Scottish CD at Sharon's stall too and have to admit to being rather smitten with it - some gorgous soft colourways in the backing paper that makes them HUGELY versatile for using with far more than just the topper elements on the CD and as you say thos lil' doggies......cute or what! The CD is on my wish list now! but I fear it will be the New Year before I can splurge out again because I have a visit to Graphicus planned next week and then I need pay for that Cosmo Cricket kit next time pay day comes around so I wont be spending anymore on crafty bits after that before Christmas.

I wish I had realised you were going on the Saturday too, it would have been fun to trade mobile phone numbers and then we could have called each other in the NEC and met somewhere for a wee coffee!

well there always next year :D better start saving now ;)

there is usually a spring Harrogate show aswell as a March one at the NEC.
I went to Harrogate this year Its usually arranged by Craftwork Cards watch out on their web site for details http://www.craftworkcards.co.uk/
Must admit I got more bargains at Harrogate

[Sharon Duncan]

Glad you all had a fantastic time at the show.

It was a delight to meet both Maisie Daisy and Phree.

Congratulations on the new arrival Maisie Daisy looking foward to seeing the photos!!!:)

Phree I'm so glad you got your stamps back, I did have a look around but no sign of them. Your accent got stronger and stronger, any longer chatting and your hubby might not recognise you :p

I didnt do any shopping at the show as it was just too busy to leave the stand for any length of time. but I did enjoying seeing what everyone else bought, didnt cost me a penny:D